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Friday, January 20, 2012

Daniel Patrick Moynihan: A Great American who Knew and Spoke a lot of Truth

When I think of the late great US Senator and Public Servant Pat Moynihan a Progressive Democrat from New York. I think of someone who had clear political leanings being a Progressive Democrat from New York. But someone who said what he believed and knew, who had a lot to say because he knew so much. He basically spent his whole career in Public Service, serving in four consecutive Presidential Administrations. Starting with the Kennedy Administration and ending with the Ford Administration. To run for US Senate from New York in 1976, where he was elected. And reelected in 1982, 88 and 94, retiring in 2001, which opened the door. For Hillary Clinton to run for his seat in 2000 and get elected herself. He spent his whole career in Public Service studying, learning, writing and speaking out issues that he cared about. He had a big focus in Poverty in America, when he served in the Johnson Administration and had a role in creating the Great Society programs. Similar role in the Nixon Administration working on Domestic Affairs. And then moved to Foreign Policy in the Ford Administration, serving as US Ambassador to the United Nations. And had his keen knack of telling the truth and being honest about it. And could say things about, especially about Poverty in America. That if a lot of other caucasian men said those things, like the crumbling of the African American Family. Others would be seen as racist but Moynihan could say those things, because he saw it up front and knew what he was talking about. And people trusted him.

Pat Moynihan represents how Public Officials use to be, not all of them of course. But more then we have now, Public Officials and former Public Officials. People who say what they are thinking and what they know and aren't just some Talking Head. Speaking up for the person they work for but would speak up in private. When they disagree with their boss and offer advice in what they would like to be seen done. They wouldn't speak out against their boss in public, at least not while they are still working for them. But they would do it in private and when they strongly disagree with them. And feel the need to speak up about it because they believe what their boss is doing. Is dangerous for the country, they would resign their position. And then speak out, through the media, an Op Ed, and article, do interviews, write a book etc. I believe today we have more then we use to, Public Officials who are there. Because they feel the need to backup their boss and to make their boss look as good as they can. Because they either have a lot of respect for their boss or they feel working for that person. Whether they like them or not, will lead to bigger things for them down the road. Perhaps a Cabinet Position, Running for Office, or a big job in Corporate America. And doing that would just be unacceptable to Pat Moyninhan.

Pat Moynihan represents what America needs more, someone who looks and analyzes facts and situations. For what they are and not look at them to make them look as good or as bad. As they want them to in order, to push their Political Agenda. Or to make the current person in office looking as good or bad as they can. From their perspective to make their side look as good as bad as they can. To obtain more power then they have. Pat Moynihan was pre Spin Zone and the original author of the No Spin Zone. Because he saw facts for what they are, this is what the situation is as he knows it. And could also offer where to go from there.